FAMILY and friends of a young woman who died following a cancer battle have been raising funds for charity in her memory.
The country walk around Colwall to remember Hollie Jane Hill, who died last September aged 40, was in aid of Bowel Cancer UK during its awareness month and has raised more than £2,200.
Hollie’s family, friends, club members and villagers gathered at Colwall Cricket Club, Stowe Lane, before setting off on routes of either 1.84 or five miles organised by Martin and Babs Oliver.
Everyone enjoyed the event, the weather was kind if not so dry underfoot, and then they gathered at the club for refreshments.
Bowel Cancer UK is the club’s chosen charity for 2024, in part due to Hollie’s family being involved with the club.
Her husband Tim has been connected with the club since a young boy, mother Jane Kendrick is the secretary and stepfather Rob Kendrick the bar manager.
Hollie, a graphic designer trading as HbyDesign from her Malvern home, made a big contribution by volunteering her services, designing marketing material for many events.
She did the posters, tickets and handbook, along with Andrew Waters, for the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 2022.
But Hollie became unwell in December 2022 and was admitted to hospital the following month.
She was finally diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in March 2023 with her first chemotherapy treatment in May.
Her mother Jane said: “Full of courage and the hope to survive, Hollie was incredible, facing her diagnosis with dignity and bravery.
“She thought more of others and how her illness was affecting them, rather than feeling sorry for herself.
“Hollie continued to work, ever the professional, and socialised when she felt able.
“Although most of the time in enormous pain, she always looked her beautiful best.
“Sadly her treatment did not work and during her second round of chemotherapy her health deteriorated suddenly and Hollie passed away in September 2023 aged 40 at home, surrounded by her family.”
Family and friends have been fundraising since in tribute with Ripple and Uckinghall Carol Singers, including Hollie’s godmother Janet Hill, her partner Roger Finch and other villagers, donating their collection of £368.37 and the Uckinghall Shoot adding £100 to Bowel Cancer UK in memory of Hollie last December.
Last month Hollie’s paternal aunt Jane Roberts completed the London Marathon for the charity, raising £1,916.
Malvern Joggers member Jane, 64, has also raised more than £14,000 for Birmingham Mind after the death of her own daughter Paige Roberts in 2021, completing several 10k runs, three half-marathons and her first London Marathon last year.
She completed the Amsterdam Marathon to raise £3,583 for The Cart Shed in Herefordshire.
During Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Sian Williams, Hollie’s best and oldest friend, took part in Active April for the second year running.
She was challenged to take part in various activities, walking, taking part in ‘Core with Kyle’ sessions online, dancing, attending the gym, trampolining and swimming, raising more than £330.
Sian will complete the challenge Hollie set her last year too by walking to the top of the Malvern Hills.
Future events include on July 6 staff at Mitsubishi Pencil UK, who were Hollie’s main customer as their UK and European designer, doing the Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Race in Buckinghamshire.
They are raising money for Bowel Cancer UK with more than £1,400 so far.
On August 11 another of Hollie’s friends Georgina Jenkins and her family the Dakins host their annual cricket match at West Malvern in memory of Andrew Dakin, a much-loved father, husband and friend.
This year they will raise money for Bowel Cancer UK in memory of Hollie.
Tim, Jane, Rob, Hollie’s brother Jim Williams, his fiancée Nikki and all of Hollie’s family and friends are passionate about promoting early diagnosis, especially in young people, as if found early the disease is treatable and curable.
Over 16,800 people die from bowel cancer each year, including more than 2,600 young people.
More than nine in 10 people will survive bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage.
Jane thanked everyone who has donated and/or participated in raising funds in memory of her daughter.
She added: “Although Hollie’s life has ended too soon, she achieved a great deal and always lived life to the full.
“Everyone misses her terribly but we will be forever grateful that she was part of our lives and we have a wealth of memories of our times with her to cherish forever.”
Hollie’s story and the events are at holliehill.muchloved.com and Sian’s Active April link is at fundraise.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/fundraisers/sianwilliams/active-april
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